Defend the Vatican at the UN

Today, in many international arenas, the values and virtues upon which the greatest achievements of civilization were built are under attack. Certain organizations, in the name of a false “liberation,” seek to undermine central truths regarding the nature of the human person and of the family. In the name of a false doctrine of human rights, they deny what makes men truly human and violate true human rights.

These groups have made the Holy See at the United Nations a particular target. They attack the Holy See’s credentials, ignoring the fact that the Holy See has engaged in diplomatic relations since the 4th Century and currently exchanges diplomats with 177 nations. The true ground of their animus, however, is the Holy See’s steadfast defense of the sanctity of human life and the inviolable dignity of the family….

Join with the Member States in gratitude for the spiritual and moral witness of the Holy See at the United Nations. The world would be far poorer if the voice of the Holy See within the United Nations were ever silenced. May that day never come.

For more information and to sign the petition, please visit Defend the Vatican at the UN:

http://defendtheholysee.org/

For information about the mission and work of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (C-FAM), please visit:

http://c-fam.org/en/

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I was invited to serve as a member of the Holy See Delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in 2011.  Truth was absent in UN initiatives being advanced in the name of “empowerment of women and girls”, as the falsehoods actually being promoted were reproductive rights, reproductive health, freedom to choose one’s sexuality (especially for young girls), gender (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, etc.)  Lies, deception, manipulation were used to attack God’s moral law.  A prime example of how some persons use words to advance their own agenda was a delegate from Greece who quoted Mother Teresa of Calcutta in order to support the delegate’s promotion of the availability of abortion. Yes, she quoted Blessed Mother Teresa in order to promote abortion!  It is hard to describe the palpable sense of evil which pervaded the UNconference building:  clearly ungodly work was going on, and continues to go on.  But this is why the Holy See must be present at the UN:  this is why faithful Catholics must be present at the UN, and in every part of society, in order to promote and defend the Truth.

Each and every one of us is called to accomplish our role with faithfulness, courage and charity, and to put at the Lord’s service the gifts and talents He has given us. We must strive to develop a well-formed conscience so that we can indeed stay focused on our Lord as “the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) 

Whether we are called to serve the Church “formally” or “informally” we need to be well-formed in the Catechism and Social Doctrine of the Church, in addition to God’s moral law, so that we are able to lovingly carry out our baptismal mission to share the Gospel with others.

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI speaking at the UN in 2008

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Prayer Intentions

His Holiness Pope Francis' universal prayer intention for February is:

“That the Church and society may respect the wisdom and experience of older people”.

His intention for evangelization is:

“That priests, religious, and lay people may work together with generosity for evangelization”.

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“The offering of oneself to God relates to every Christian, because we are all consecrated to Him through baptism … making a generous gift of our life, in the family, at work, in the service the Church, in works of mercy…”

Pope Francis

Angelus, 2 February 2014

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“I encourage you to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere…. Evangelise with love, take God's love to all… Be messengers and witnesses to the infinite goodness and inexhaustible mercy of the Father”.

Pope Francis

Audience with Members of the Neocatechumenal Way, 1 February 2014

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Let us be close in prayer with and for our sisters and brothers, especially those who are sick , those who mourn, and those who are suffering from the effects of extreme weather conditions.  May God grant them every grace and blessing.

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A More Incisive Female Presence

On 25 January 2014 His Holiness Pope Francis received in audience representatives of the CIF (Centro Italiano Femminile – Italian Women's Centre), on the occasion of their congress. In his address, Pope Francis observed that during recent decades, “alongside other cultural and social transformations, also the identity and role of women in the family, in society and in the Church has seen significant changes, and in general the participation and responsibility of women has increased”.

In this process, he recalled, “discernment on the part of the Magisterium of the Popes” has been, and still is, important, especially the publication in 1988 of Blessed John Paul II's Apostolic Letter “Mulieris dignitatem” on the dignity and vocation of women, and his Message for the 1995 World Day for Peace on the theme “Women: teachers of peace”. He continued, “I too have considered the indispensable contribution of women in society … I have rejoiced in seeing many women sharing some pastoral responsibility with priests in accompanying people, families and groups, as in theological reflection, and I have expressed my hope that greater room can be made for a more capillary and incisive female presence in the Church”.

“If in the world of work and in the public sphere a more incisive contribution by the female gender is important, then this contribution also remains indispensable within the domain of the family, which for Christians is not simply a private space, but rather that 'domestic Church' whose health and prosperity is a condition for the health and prosperity of the Church of society itself”, he added. “At this point it is natural to ask: how is it possible for women to increase their effective presence in many contexts within the public sphere, in the world of work and in places where the most important decisions are made, and at the same time maintaining their presence and preferential and entirely special attention in and for the family? Here it is the field of discernment that, aside from reflection on the reality of women in society, presupposes assiduous and persistent prayer”.

“It is in dialogue with God, enlightened by prayer, that the Christian woman continually searches to answer the Lord's call, in the reality of her situation. This is a prayer that is always supported by the maternal presence of Mary. She, who cared for her divine Son, who propitiated his first miracle at the wedding at Cana, who was present on Calvary and at the Pentecost, shows you the road to take to deepen the meaning and role of women in society and to be fully faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and to your mission in the world”.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-receives-the-italian-womens-centre-br

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-encourages-increased-participation-of

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Our Dad: In Our Hearts and In Heaven

Our dear Dad, John L. Coval, died peacefully on January 9, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on February 21, 1927, in Jeanesville, PA, to the late John and Anna (Marcinko) Koval.  While we mourn the loss of our Dad, we know that he is happy with the Lord in heaven.  He was preceded in death by our Mom, Iona, his wife of 60 years.

Dad was a military veteran who served during World War II in the US Army Air Corps.  He worked for several engineering firms in the Harrisburg area and retired as a civil engineer technician.  He was an active member of Saint Margaret Mary Parish for more than 50 years.

He was a devoted husband and father.  He was a wonderful neighbor, always ready to help others and genuinely interested in everyone he met.  His main interests included all types of home improvement and construction projects, refurbishing cars, photography, traveling and watching football and NASCAR racing events with his family.  He liked smaller detailed projects such as building model airplanes and doing crossword puzzles.

Your support and prayers are greatly appreciated especially as we have lost our Dad less than 6 months after we lost our Mom.  Words cannot express our gratitude for your countless expressions of sympathy and kindness: the Holy Sacrifices of the Mass being offered for Dad (John), the perpetual enrollments in spiritual works of religious congregations, memorial donations in honor of Dad, beautiful flowers, delicious food, phone calls, e-mails, precious shared memories of Dad and so much more. 

You are signs of God’s love and our Heavenly Father’s care for each of us. May God richly bless you as you have blessed us!

The Holy Family

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3: 12-17

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Drawing attention to families around the world on the Feast of the Holy Family, 29 December 2013, His Holiness Pope Francis said that there are three key words to live in peace and joy within the family: “may I?” , “thank you”, and “sorry” – words that help lay the foundations of love, reconciliation, tenderness and mutual help and forgiveness.

His Holiness Pope Francis invited the faithful to join him spiritually in prayer for the upcoming Consistory and for the next Synod of Bishops which will focus on the theme of the Family.  The Pope entrusted the work of the bishops to Jesus, Mary and Joseph and recited this prayer:

Prayer to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

in you we contemplate
the splendor of true love, to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

grant that our families, too,
may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel,
and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again experience violence, rejection and division:
may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-refugees-and-the-elderly-are-the-outc

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-prayer-to-the-holy-family

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This Feast of the Holy Family, celebrated so close to the end of the year 2013 and the beginning of the new year 2014, urges us to reflect on Saint Paul’s words to the Colossians (above).  Have we done a good job of following those instructions?  What can we try harder to do better in the future?

My initial response is to say “mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa,” because I know that I have not always been patient, forgiving, kind or loving with the members of my family, near and far.  I’ve not always given my best to those closest, at home, in the community, or around the world.  But I am trying to do better, with the grace of God, and I ask "you, my brothers and sisters to pray for me."

“…Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body….”  Jesus desires that each of us feel His peace especially during the great challenges of our lives.  And not just feel His peace but share His peace with others.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph intimately understand the realities of family life:  the joys as well as the struggles are presented in Sacred Scripture as well as lived in our daily experiences.

“…Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God .…”  May this be a personal goal for each of us as we prayerfully discern and follow God’s will for all of our thoughts, words and deeds.  

Thanks be to God for the gift of family: parents, husband/wife, children, brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world, and all those whose lives are entrusted to our care.  May we live together in holiness, peace and joy in the model of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

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Blessed Christmas

And the Word became flesh

and made his dwelling among us,

and we saw his glory,

the glory as of the Father’s only Son,

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

 

May our newborn Saviour grant you

the gift of Love,

the blessing of Hope,

and the fullness of Peace.

Blessed Christmas

Joyeux Noël

Feliz Navidad

Fröhliche Weihnachten

 

                                                                                    In Christ Jesus,

                                                                                    Karen

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God's Tenderness is Manifested in Signs

"...I would like to stress that woman has a particular sensitivity to the "things of God," above all in helping us understand the mercy, tenderness and love that God has for us.

... The Church is woman, she is mother, and this is beautiful....

May Mary Most Holy, the great woman, Mother of Jesus and of all God's children, accompany us."

His Holiness Pope Francis

Address to Participants in a Seminar organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity on the Occasion of the 25th Anniversary of "Mulieris Dignitatem"

October 12, 2013

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Please visit the Vatican website to see the beautiful birthday tribute to Pope Francis in words and photographs:  http://www.vatican.va/auguri-francesco/en/index.html

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